FRANK Maloney, 61, the boxing promoter who worked to make Lennox Lewis Britain’s first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, is now Kellie. Says Ms Maloney:

“I was born in the wrong body and I have always known I was a woman. I can’t keep living in the shadows. That is why I am doing what I am. Living with the burden any longer would have killed me. What was wrong at birth is now being medically corrected.”

She’s been supported by many:

Johnny Nelson, former WBO cruiserweight champion, wrote on Twitter: “Frank Maloney, read your story. It’s your life, don’t make others stop who you are. Ignorance is the problem of others, not yours.”

Tony Jeffries, the Olympic bronze medal-winner, noted: “Crazy the news about my old boxing promoter Frank! Fair play to him for coming out. #BeHappy #1Life”

Gay Conservatives have called on the UK Independence Party to sack their London mayoral candidate over his “homophobic” comments. Frank Maloney said he would not be campaigning in the borough of Camden because there are “too many gays”. His claims prompted the Gay Tories to brand him a “dangerous extremist” who “should resign or be sacked”…

But Mr Maloney defended his remarks… “I have said I don’t want to campaign around gays because I don’t think they will vote for me. I don’t think they do a lot for society. I don’t have a problem with gays, what I have a problem with is them openly flaunting their sexuality… I’m more for traditional family values and family life. I’m anti same-sex marriages and I’m anti same-sex families… If you are homosexual, you are homosexual – just get on with your life and stop bitching about things.”